CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina Head Women's Soccer Coach Chad Millertoday announced the 2013 soccer schedule which includes 10 home games hosting non-conference teams such as new Conference USA members Charlotte and Western Kentucky. The Catamounts will be facing a pair of non-conference teams that reached the championship game of their respective conferences and also will participate in a tournament hosted at East Carolina August 30 and September 1.

"The out of conference schedule will be very good for us," Miller said. "Most of the teams we are playing are conference champions or conference runners-up."

After an exhibition match at home with High Point on August 16, the Catamounts host Lipscomb in their home-opener on August 25. The Bison are one of three Atlantic Sun Conference teams Western Carolina will face as the club will also host East Tennessee on September 15 and travel to Mercer on September 20.

Two days after hosting Lipscomb, the Catamounts hit the road traveling to Eastern Kentucky on August 25. The Colonels are coming off a 10-win 2012 season, qualifying for its fifth-straight OVC Tournament.

In Western Carolina's only regular season tournament, the Catamounts will face UNC Wilmington on August 30 in day one of the tournament hosted by East Carolina. UNCW lost in double overtime in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship game. The Catamounts will face host ECU on September 1.

One week after traveling to ECU, the Catamounts will host three consecutive home games to close out its home non-conference schedule. WCU will welcome Charlotte, Western Kentucky and East Tennessee State University. Charlotte and Western Kentucky will be in their new conference as both teams will be playing in Conference USA when the 2013 season rolls around.

"We've got some good teams coming into Cullowhee," Miller said. "It's fun to play at home against top level competition."

Western Carolina plays at Mercer on September 20. The Bears were a No. 2 seed in the2012 A-Sun Championships and fell in the finals. The Catamounts close out its road non-conference portion of its schedule with a match at Francis Marion on October 25. Southern Conference play begins on September 26 with an away game at Elon. The Catamounts home games include welcoming UNCG, Samford, Furman, Wofford and closing out its home portion with Appalachian State on October 30.

"Our conference still remains a very competitive field," Miller said. "I think there will be nine or 10 teams that could win a conference championship next year and that is exciting to be a part of."

The first round of the 2013 Southern Conference Championships will be played at the higher seed's facility on November 3 with the semi-finals and finals being played at Davidson on November 8-10. The top eight finishers earn a seed in the SoCon Championships.